Interlocking fastener



Nov. 3, 1964 H. G. GENTRY INTERLOCKING FASTENER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 19, 1963 INVENTOR.

HERMOND G. GENTRY ATTORNEY Nov. 3, 1964 H. e. GENTRY 3,154,827

INTERLOCKING FASTENER Filed June 19, less 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F164 FIGS FIG.6

INVENTOR.

HERMOND G. GENTRY ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,15%,327 INTERLGQl-EQG FASTENER i iermond G. Gentry, Atlanta, Ga., assignor to The Mead Corporation, a corporation of flhio Filed lune 19, 1963, Ser. No. 288,935 Claims. (Cl. 2 4-264) This invention relates to interlocking means for article carriers and the like and more particularly is directed to means for securing one ed e of a yieldable-panel to an adjacent complementary edge of an adjacent yieldable panel, the two panels being disposed in substantially coplanar relationsh p.

In article carriers constructed of paperboard for example and which are of the wrap-around type, it is customary to secure the ends of the wrapper together by suitable means such as glue, locking tabs and the like. Where the ends of the Wrapper are secured by glue, it is customary to apply the glue throughout the length of the overlapping edges. 'While it may be advantageous to secure the end edges of such a wrapper along the entire length thereof, gluing operations require a certain amount of setting time and hence impose a limitation on the speed of performance or" a packaging operation using glue.

In wrapper-type article carriers using locking tabs, the overlapping end edges are not secured together along the entire length thereof ccording to present practice although locking tabs inherently afford highspeed packaging because of the elimination of glue setting time.

A principal object of this invention is to provide an improved interlocling means for Wrapper type carriers which utilizes locking tabs formed along the edges of the ends of the wrapper to be secured together and extending throughout the leng h th reof and by so doing to form a junction along the entire length of the overlapping ends of the wrapper while eliminating the time required for the setting of glue.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an unusually strong securing means for adjoining adjacent edges of two substantially coplanar panels and which effectively prevents substantial relative motion in the planes of the panels in any direction.

The invention in one form as applied to a pair of adjacent generally coplanar yi ldable panels comprises a plurality of locking tabs disposed along an edge of one of the panels in spaced relation, locfing tabs disposed along the adjacent edge of the other panel and disposed in staggored relation thereto so that the locking tabs of one panel are interposed between the locking tabs of the other when the lock is secure For a better understanding of the invention reference may be to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which FIG. 1 a perspective view of a wraparound type of carrier depicted in the setup condition with packaged articles such as bottles shown in dotted lines and to which the invention is applicable; FIG. 2 is a plan View of a blank from which the carrier depicted in FIG. 1 is formed; FlG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view from the bottom showing the interrelationship of the zipper-type locks of FIGS. 1 and 2 formed on an edge or" one panel with similar locks formed on an edge of the other panel; FIG. 4 is a view similar to 3 but showing the locks in unlocked condition; and in which *GS. 5 and 6 are views similar to FIG. 4 but showing alternative lock constructions in the disengaged position.

While the invention is shown as applied to an article carrier, it will be understood that it is not limited thereto and has other applications as well.

With reference to FIGS. 1 2 the numeral 1 indicates the top panel of the carrier while the numerals 2 and 3 designate shoulder panels which are foldably joined respectively to top panel 1 along fold lines 4 and 5. Foldably joined to shoulder panel 2 along fold line 6 is a side panel I while a similar side panel 3 is foldably joined to shoulder panel 3 along fold line 9. Bottom sloping panel it is foldably joined along line 11 to the bottom edge of side panel 7 while a similar sloping panel 12 is foldably joined along fold line 13 to the bottom edge of side wall 8. Bottom lap panel 14 is foldably joined to sloping panel ll) along fold line 15 and a similar lap panel 1% is foldably joined to sloping panel 12 along fold line 17.

in order to facilitate carrying the package depicted in FIG. 1, a pair or" finger'gripping tabs 13 and l? are struck out of top panel 1 and may be folded inwardly along their respective fold L'nes 2t) and 2i.

For the purpose of receiving the necks of packaged bottles for example, a plurality of scalloped openings 22-27 may be formed in known manner in the top panel 1 and form resilient apertures for cushioning the necks of the packaged bottles shown dotted and designated in FIG. 1 by the letter B.

For receiving the bottom riros of the packaged bottles, a plurality of apertures 28, 2? and 38 are formed within sloping panel ll) and function in known manner to aid in securing the bottles 3 Within the wrapper against inadvertent displacement therefrom. Similarly openings 31, 32 and 33 are formed in sloping panel 32.

To draw the Wrapper depicted in FIG. 2 tightly about a group of packaged items such as are designated by the letter B in H6. 1, a pair of tightening apertures 34 and 35 are formed in lap panel and similar tightenin apertures 36 and 37 are formed in lap panel 16. If desired the tabs defined by apertures 34-32 may be retained as indicated in the drawing. As is well understood in the art, suitable machine elements enter apertures 34 and 35 and rnove inwardly in opposition to similar machine ele ments disposed within tightening apertures 36 and 37 so as to draw the lap panels 14 and i5 snugly toward each other and into generally coplanar relationship thereby to condition the interlocking means generally designated by the numeral 38 on lap panel 14 for cooperative relationship to the interlocking means generally designated by the nmneral 39 formed on lap panel 16.

As is shown in KG. 2 the locking means 33 comprises a plurality of locking tabs ell-d4 which are disposedalong an edge of lap panel 14. The locking tabs are provided with score lines and abutment shoulders. As can be seen in PEG. 2 locking tab ill is provided with a single medial longitudinal slit having its outer end spaced from the tip of the tab and arranged to impart a measure of flexibility without substantially weakening tile tab. Similarly locking tabs 4l44 are provided with medial cut lines 4649, respectively.

The structure formed along the edge of lap panel 16 and generahy designated by the numeral 39 is similar to the interlocking means formed along the lap panel 14 and designated by the numeral 33. For example, interlocking means 39 comprises a plurality of locking tabs5ll-53 having medial slits 5457, respectively.

FIG. 3 shows fragments of the locking structure 33 and 39 in interlocking relationship as viewed from the bottom of the carrier. Thus, the locking tab 459 in FF". 3 is provided with abutment shoulder portions designated by the numerfls 58 and 59. In like fashion locking tab 41 is provided with shoulders 6d and 61 while complementary locking tab 59 comprises shoulders s2 and 63.

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3 but depicts the parts in disengaged condition. FIG. 4 shows fold lines 64-6 formed at the bases of the locking tabs 4942 respectively and the fold'lines 67 and as formed at the bases of lock ng tabs 59 and 51, respectively. The fold lines 64-68 serve and 6 in general utilizecut lines which receive the corners or ends of complementary locking tabs and thus aiford added strength and improved appearance. This feature also tends to prevent the tabs from being dislodged or torn due to engagement with an adjacent carrier or with some other object.

The arrangement of FIG. 5 is quite similar to FIG. 4 in that panel 14 is provided with square cornered locking tabs 69, 7t and 71 which are foldably joined along fold lines 72, '73 and 74, respectively, to the panel 14. For some applications of the invention fold lines 72-74 may be eliminated. In addition cut lines 75, 76 and 77 are formed in the locking tabs 69, 70 and 71, respectively. The cut line 75 diverges into a pair of auxiliary cut lines '78 and 79 and cut line '76 diverges into a pair of auxiliary cut lines 80 and Cut line 77 diverges into a pair of auxiliary cut lines 82 and 83. Thestructure of panel 16 is virtually identical to that of panel 14. For example, locking tab 84 isfoldably joined to panel 16 by fold line 85 and a cut line 36 is formed in locking tab 84. This cut line 85 diverges into a pair of auxiliary cut lines 87 and 83. In like fashion, locking tab 39 is foldably joined to panel 16 by a transverse fold line 99 and a cut line 91 is formed in locking tab 89 and diverges into a pair of auxiliary cut lines 92 and 93. As already pointed out it may be desirable in some instances to eliminate the fold lines 85 and 99.

In order to lock the panels 14 and 16 using the locks of FIG. 5, locking tab 84 is forced between locking tabs 69 and 74 so that the base 85 of tab $4 is between and in alignment with the bases 72 and 73 of tabs 69 and 7t been shown and described, the invention is not limited thereto and it is intended in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall Within the true spirit and scope of tie invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an excluive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An arrangement for interlocking adjacent edges of a pair of yieldable substantially coplanar panels, said arrangement comprising a pair of locking tabs formed on said edge of one of said panels and disposed in spaced relation to each other, abutment shoulders formed respectively on said locking tabs and extending into the space therebetween, there being a medial longitudinal slit formed in each of said locking tabs with the outer end thereof spaced from the outer tip of the tab, a complementary locking tab formed on said edge of the other of said panels and disposed in the space between said pair of tabs, a pair of abutment shoulders formed respectively on opposite edges of said complementary locking tab for engaging said abutment shoulders on said pair of locking tabs thereby to secure said panels against substantial relative movement, and a medial longitudinal slit formed in said complementary locking tab with the outer end thereof spaced from the outer tip of the tab. r

2. An arrangement for interlocking adjacent edges of a pair of yieldable substantially coplanar panels, said arrangement comprising a pair of locking tabs formed on said cage of one of said panels and disposed in spaced and s'o that tab 84 is disposed over panel 14 and with tabs 69 and 7t} disposed over panel 16. The lower left hand corner of tab 84 designated 94 is slipped through the slot 79 and is thus held down securely. The dotted line 79 on tab 84 is used to indicate the portion 94 which is slipped through slot 79 in panel 14. In like fashion the corner 95 of tab 84 is slipped through slit 89 in panel 14. Similarly tab 89 is moved between tabs 70 and 71 so that its base 9%) lies between bases '73 and 74 of tabs '70 and 71 and generally in alignment therewith. The corners 96 and 97 of tab 89 are slipped through slits 81 and 82 respectively While end tab 93 is disposed with its corner 99 slipped through slit 83. v The locks on panel 14 have their corners interlocked in like fashion with slits in panel 16. For example the corners 10d and 1&2 of tab 71 are slipped into slits 1% and 93. In like fashion the corners 103 and 104 of tab 79 are slipped into slits 92 and 88. Corner 1l5 of tab 69 slips into slit 87. The other. corner of tab 69 is slipped into a slit (not shown) and the remaining tabs on both and 115 are formed in tab 198 while slit 116 is formed in' tab 1il9. When locked, the ends 117 and 118 of tab 1G8 are slipped throughslits ill) and 113, respectively. 'As

' before the base of tab 1% lies between the bases of tabs 1&6 and 1&7 and in substantial alignment therewith. Of course'the end 1190f tab 109 is disposed in slit 112. Ends 121 and 122 of tab 1W7 are received in slits 115 and 116 respectively while end 1200f tab 10s is slipped through slit'll4, it being understood that all the locks on each of the panels 14 and 16 are similarly arranged when locked.

While fold lines may be used at the bases of tabs 196499 such lines are not indicated in FIG. 6 and ordinarily will not be necessary;

' While particular .enibodimentsof the invention have relation to each. other, abutment shoulders formed respectively on said locking tabs and extending into the space therebetween, there being at least one pair of slits formed in said one panel and disposed in generally diagonal relation to said locking tabs, a complementary locking tab formed on said edge of the other of said panels and disposed in the space between said pair of tabs, and a pair of abutment shoulders formed respectively on opposite edges of said complementary locking tab for en gaging said abutment shoulders on said pair of locking tabs thereby to secure said panels against substantial relative movement, a part of each shoulder on said complementary locking tab extending into one of said slits.

3, An arrangement forinterlocking adjacent edges of a pair of yieldable substantially coplanar panels, said arrangement comprising a pair of locking tabs formed on said edge of one of said panels and disposed in spaced 7 relation to each other, there being a pair of medifl slits formed respectively in said locking tabs and extending into said one panel, there being a pair, of auxiliary slitsin said one panel and connecting with each medial slit, abutment shoulders formed respectively on said locking tabs and extending into the space therebetween, a comprementary locking tab formed on said edge of the other of said panels and disposedin the space between said pair 7 of tabs, there being a third medial slit formed on said complementary locking tab and extending into said other panel, there being a pair of auxiliary slits in said other panel and connecting with said third slit, and a pair of abutment shoulders formed respectively on opposite edges of said complementary locking tab for engaging said abuta 'pair of yieldable substantially coplanar panels, saidv arrangement comprising a pair of locking tabs formed on said edge ofone of said panels and disposed in spaced relation to each other, abutment shoulders formed respectively on said locking tabs and extending into thespace therebetween, a complementary lock ng tab formed on. said edge-.of the other of said panels and disposed in the space between said pairof tabs, and a pair of abutment shoulders formed respectively on opposite edges of said complementary locking tab for engaging said abutment shoulders on said pair of locking tabs thereby to secure said panels against substantial relative movement, and there being cut lines formed in each of said panels and disposed generally in normal relationship to said edges of the associated panel for receiving adjacent parts of the shoulders of locking tabs formed on the other of said panels.

5. An arrangement for interlocking adjacent edges of a pair of yieldable substantially coplanar panels, said arrangement comprising a plurality of locking tabs formed in spaced relation along said edge of one of said panels, a pair of shoulders formed on opposite edges of at least some of said locking tabs, a plurality of complementary locking tabs formed in spaced relation along said edge of said other panel, a pair of shoulders formed on opposite edges of at least some of said locking tabs, said cornplementary locking tabs being disposed in staggered relation to said locking tabs and with the shoulders thereof disposed in engagement with the shoulders of said locking tabs to prevent substantial relative movement between said panels, and there being cut lines formed in at least some of said tabs and disposed lengthwise of said tabs and extending into the associated panel, said cut lines in each panel being adapted to receive a part of a locking tab formed on the other panel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 593,721 Hoflman Nov, 16, 1897 2,004,098 Andrews June 11, 1935 2,100,648 Lawson Nov. 30, 1937 2,359,297 Brogden Oct. 3, 1944 2,406,123 Zalkind Aug. 20, 1946 2,786,572 Gentry Mar. 26, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 67,716 Denmark Sept. 27, 1948 

1. AN ARRANGEMENT FOR INTERLOCKING ADJACENT EDGES OF A PAIR OF YIELDABLE SUBSTANTIALLY COPLANAR PANELS, SAID ARRANGEMENT COMPRISING A PAIR OF LOCKING TABS FORMED ON SAID EDGE OF ONE OF SAID PANELS AND DISPOSED IN SPACED RELATION TO EACH OTHER, ABUTMENT SHOULDERS FORMED RESPECTIVELY ON SAID LOCKING TABS AND EXTENDING INTO THE SPACE THEREBETWEEN, THERE BEING A MEDIAL LONGITUDINAL SLIT FORMED IN EACH OF SAID LOCKING TABS WITH THE OUTER END THEREOF SPACED FROM THE OUTER TIP OF THE TAB, A COMPLEMENTARY LOCKING TAB FORMED ON SAID EDGE OF THE OTHER OF SAID PANELS AND DISPOSED IN THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID PAIR OF TABS, A PAIR OF ABUTMENT SHOULDERS FORMED RESPECTIVELY ON OPPOSITE EDGES OF SAID COMPLEMENTARY LOCKING TAB FOR ENGAGING SAID ABUTMENT SHOULDERS ON SAID PAIR OF LOCKING TABS THEREBY TO SECURE SAID PANELS AGAINST SUBSTANTIAL RELATIVE MOVEMENT, AND A MEDIAL LONGITUDINAL SLIT FORMED IN SAID COMPLEMENTARY LOCKING TAB WITH THE OUTER END THEREOF SPACED FROM THE OUTER TIP OF THE TAB. 